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Upgrading my setup for my new DT880 600Ω

post #1 of 3
1/14/12 at 1:38pm
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I am currently running a HT OMEGA Striker 7.1 (24bit/96khz -- C-Media CMI8770) into a Fiio E9 before getting to my DT880 600Ω. I would prefer to say away from tube amps (Because I will be using these a lot). I have seen a lot of hype about the E17 (portability is a plus since I am full time student), but have also read that it isn't the best for higher impedance headphones. Would I be better off with keeping my setup the way it is for now (and possibly saving for something better), or would I see a significant difference in upgrading (either a new sound card or external DAC) considering I have $200-250 to spend? Would it be worth getting some kind of receiver or external device to take advantage of the sound cards optical/coaxial outputs (I believe it is only using 44khz through regular line out)?

 

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
 

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post #2 of 3
1/14/12 at 1:58pm

For now, it is probably best to just keep the E9 (it is technically good enough), and if you are not satisfied with the sound, you can look for a different amplifier later that fixes specifically the problem you have with the E9 (too bright, etc.). Portable amplifiers that are well suited for 600 Ohm headphones are not too common, but for about $150, you may be able to get a pre-built O2 amplifier that can be used in both desktop and portable setups, and in the former it offers comparable power to the E9 with a 600 Ohm load, and somewhat better sound quality.

 

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post #3 of 3
1/14/12 at 2:12pm
Thread Starter 

Quote:

Originally Posted by stv014 View Post

For now, it is probably best to just keep the E9 (it is technically good enough), and if you are not satisfied with the sound, you can look for a different amplifier later that fixes specifically the problem you have with the E9 (too bright, etc.). Portable amplifiers that are well suited for 600 Ohm headphones are not too common, but for about $150, you may be able to get a pre-built O2 amplifier that can be used in both desktop and portable setups, and in the former it offers comparable power to the E9 with a 600 Ohm load, and somewhat better sound quality.

 

I am worried about my source though, since my sound card is only outputting 16/48khz into the E9. The card outputs 24/96 through coaxial/optical (digital), but then that would work best with a 24/96 DAC... right? I guess my question should be, is the upgrade to a E17, which would bring me from 16/48 to 24/96 + portability, or just get a 24/96 or 24/192 soundcard and lose the portability.

 

edit: I am looking around for sound cards are the Xonar ST seems like the price range that I will be looking for... Will I even need my E9 if I pick one of these up? How do these fair vs external DAC's such as the E17/E7?


Edited by optik264 - 1/14/12 at 2:38pm
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